• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sheep and Stitch

Knitted goodness made by you

  • About
  • Start Here
  • Patterns
  • How To Knit
  • Knitting Library
  • Blog

Knitting Library  >  Techniques

9 Quick and Easy Knit Gift Ideas and Patterns

Published on December 18, 2022 By Davina | May contain affiliate links (whats this?)

last minute knit gift ideas
If you’re pressed for time and you need a gift, then these knit gift ideas are for you!

I’ll go through these gifts from the easiest and quickest to the “longest” and “hardest”. Keep in mind that “hard” and “easy” are relative, and most advanced and adventurous knitters can crank out these gifts pretty quickly.

A pair of slippers, which takes about 6-8 hours to make is the “longest” gift on the list.

Let’s get started!

Easy Knit Gifts Video

Watch the full video where I show you how to make last-minute knit gifts!

1. Furry Pen – 30-45 mins

diy fuzzy pen

These furry pens are made by creating a Pom Pom and gluing it to the top of the pen using a glue gun. I find that tween and young teen girls love this handmade gift!

Materials:

  • scrap yarn
  • cardboard
  • sharp scissors
  • glue gun
  • pens

making a furry pen

First, create a cardboard tracer with a round object that’s around 2” in diameter. Then make a Pom Pom by wrapping the yarn around the tracer.

This is a detailed tutorial on how to make a Pom Pom. Please check it out and watch the tutorial video if you’re new to Pom Pom making.

making a furry pen

Trim the Pom Pom so that it’s perfectly round. Then spread the pom and dab a big glob of glue in the middle. Quickly push the pen into the glue and hold it still until the glue is fully dried, around half a minute.

making a furry pen

Do a final trim of the Pom Pom if needed. Then the fuzzy pen is complete and ready for gifting. This is the easiest and quickest of the knit gift ideas!

2. Tassel Bookmarks – 30-45 mins

diy bookmarks with tassels

Bookmarks harken back to a simpler time when reading a book meant holding a bound collection of pages in your hands – as opposed to an e-reader or an app.

Bring back that nostalgia with these pretty tasseled bookmarks. They can be personalised with custom messages and graphics that your bookworm giftee will love!

Even though I’m using lamination sheets, I’m using a regular iron to melt the sheets together. No laminator required!

Tassel Bookmark Materials:

  • paper for laminating (I’m using wrapping paper)
  • scrap yarn
  • scissors
  • lamination sheet or pouch
  • iron
  • hole punch
  • small piece of cardboard or card stock
  • tapestry needle

making tassel bookmarks

First, cut the bookmarks into the shape and size you like. Then, place them into the lamination pouch, giving each bookmark a generous margin. Then cut a large margin around the lamination sheet.

making a bookmark tassel

Pour out any water in your iron. You want the iron to be hot and dry – not steamy. Set the iron to its highest setting. This is usually the Cotton/Linen setting.

Place a cotton fabric on top of the lamination. Iron over the fabric, working in even strokes, for about 20-30 seconds. Check that the lamination has melted together at the margins. Then, turn the lamination over and repeat on the other side.

making a tassel bookmark

Allow the lamination to cool to room temperature. Then, cut around the bookmarks, leaving a small margin for the lamination. Punch a hole at the top of the bookmark.

To create a tassel, cut a 2×2” piece of cardboard and wrap the scrap yarn around it 12 times. I’m using sock weight yarn for a delicate tassel.

making a tassel for bookmark

Then cut a 10” length of yarn and slip it underneath the loop of yarn on the cardboard. Tie a knot. Cut the yarn loop on the cardboard loose. This is the tassel body.

diy yarn tassel

Cut another 10” length of yarn and tie a knot around the tassel body, about one centimetre down from the knot. Then wrap one end of the yarn around the knot a few times. Knot it together with the other end of the yarn.

making a tassel

Use the tapestry needle to weave these two ends of yarn into the body of the tassel. Trim the ends of the tassel so that they’re neat and uniform.

making a tassel for bookmark

Tie a knot about 3” down from the tassel tie. Trim off the ends of the knot. Then weave the tassel through the hole in the bookmark from the “wrong side.” The bookmark is complete!

make a tassel

 

For a seamless way to attach the tassel, watch the video tutorial above. I’ll show you how to hide the knot inside the tassel for a perfect finish.

3. Celebration Crowns – 1-1.5 hours

knit crowns
Knit crowns add fun and whimsy to any event. Wear them for birthdays, holidays, game nights and any celebration. I’ve noticed that kids are extra silly when wearing these crowns!

Check out the full Celebration Crown pattern here.

Knit Crown Video Tutorial

Watch the video tutorial where I walk you through how to knit these crowns!

4. Gnome Ornament – 1-1.5 hours

These gnomes are adorable and very easy to make! They look great sitting together on a mantlepiece or hung on a Christmas tree.

Check out the full Gnome Ornament post here, including the materials list.

Gnome Ornament Video Tutorial

Watch the video tutorial where I walk you through how to make these gnome ornaments.

5. Fisherman’s Rib Twisted Headband – 2-3 hours

twist headband knitting materials

A headband is the quintessential quick knit. It’s both cute and practical, and it can be completed in a single day!

Fisherman’s Rib Twisted Headband Video:

To watch the Fisherman’s Rib portion of this video, skip to 14:02. Double stockinette takes much longer to knit, so it’s not recommended if time is of the essence.

While I’m using worsted weight yarn, this pattern is very customisable. Use thinner or thicker yarn and adjust the number of cast on stitches. Just make sure to cast on an odd number of stitches. For my headband, I cast on 17 sts.

The full twisted headband pattern is available for free here.

6. Knit Potholder – 2-3 hours


A potholder is a great knit gift for housewarmings or for people who love to cook. This potholder is made with chunky yarn, but any yarn that’s worsted weight or heavier can be used.

Just remember to use a yarn that is spun with natural fibres. For instance, wool, cotton, hemp or alpaca. Synthetic yarns like acrylic or polyester run the risk of melting if the pot that’s placed on it is too hot!

Knit Potholder Video Tutorial

The full spiral potholder blog post, including materials is linked here.

7. Crossover Cowl – 3-4 hours

chunky cowl pattern
This cowl is so cosy and textured, it’s just asking to be snuggled into! Best of all, it’s knit with super bulky yarn, so it only takes a few hours to make. A two-row pattern repeat makes this a total breeze to knit!

chunky cowl pattern
I gifted this cowl to my mom, and she loves it!

This cowl is easily customisable. To make the cowl larger or smaller, cast on a multiple of 3 sts (ie. 3, 6, 9, 12 etc.) to ensure that the stitch pattern “fits”.

The cornerstone of this pattern is a technique abbreviated to K2tbl-ktbl, which stands for “knit two through the back loop; knit through the back loop. This creates the beautiful crossover stitch.

The full Crossover Cowl pattern is available here.

Crossover Cowl Video Tutorial

8. Candle Cosy 3-4 hours

candle cosy pattern

These candle cosies are great for turning empty glass jars into glowing ornaments. After knitting the cosy, pop in a candle or tea light and voila, the jar is transformed!

The patten is flexible and will require a bit of adjusting and customisation to fit your glass jar. I’ve included instructions within the pattern on how to adjust the pattern.

Click here for the full pattern for the candle cosy.

Candle Cosy Video Tutorial

Watch the full video tutorial for the candle cosy above.

9. Chunky Slippers 6-8 hours

No one ever said, “Cosy slippers? Yeah, I’m not into that.” Slippers are one of the best gifts to receive in the cold winter months. Best of all, they are very quick to knit!

Top off the slippers with a leather sole to make them anti-slip, and you have the perfect holiday gift!

Grab the free slipper pattern here.

Slipper Knitting Pattern Video

Watch the full video for the chunky slipper pattern!

Pin
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
Tweet

Category: Techniques / Subcategory: Decorative, Subcategory: For Fun

You May Also Like:

how to fuzzy pom poms3 Surprising Ways to Get Super Fuzzy Pom Pomshow to make a pom pomHow to Make a Pom Pom

Reader Interactions

Comments 2

  1. Vera says

    December 18, 2022 at 12:48 pm

    WOW! After three days, I just came on the website, and these videos are all up!

    I will try these knitting patterns for the holidays!

    Better get Knitting!

    Reply
    • Davina says

      January 2, 2023 at 9:42 pm

      Yes please do! Happy new year!

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Most Popular

  • 3 beginner knitting mistakes 3 Beginner Knitting Mistakes and How to Fix Them
  • how to knit a scarf for beginners How to Knit a Scarf for Beginners
  • egyptian knitting The History of Knitting Pt 1: Mysterious Origins

Categories

Footer

Navigate

  • About
  • How To Knit
  • Patterns
  • Blog

Support

  • Privacy and Affiliate Disclosure
  • Technical Support
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Instagram

Follow Us On Instagram

Pom pom pens make great last-minute gifts! If you’ve got scrap yarn and a glue gun, you can make these pens! They turn writing into a fun and playfulness exercise ✨ I’m gifting these pens to my nieces this holiday season. I think they’ll love it!  For more last-minute knit and yarn-related gift ideas check out the link in my profile!  #lastminutegifts #furrypen #diyfurrypen #diyfuzzypen #pompom #pompoms #knitgifts #knittedgifts #giftsfortweens #giftsforteens #knitting #yarn #yarnlove #yarnlovers #knitgift #giftideas #giftidea
This double stockinette stitch headband is super c This double stockinette stitch headband is super cosy and easy to knit!  🤓 Instructions:  Cast on an even number of stitches. (I cast on 36 sts for mine. Cast on more or less depending on the yarn you use and the width you’d like).  Row 1: *k1, slip 1 with yarn in front, then bring yarn to the back; repeat from * to end of row  Repeat Row 1 until headband fits around your head snugly.  Cast off in pattern  Seam together as shown in the video.  Weave in ends and wear with confidence!  To watch the full pattern tutorial, head to my YouTube channel and search for “Twisted Headbands” or go to this link: https://bit.ly/3DLiMWc  Yarn: @malabrigoyarn silky merino in color Mares 196
Needles: 4mm needles
Supplies from @lovecraftscom 
#knittingpattern #knitting #knitstagram #knittersgonnaknit #knitknitknit #freeknittingpattern #beginnerknitter
Let’s make a bobble! 🫧 In this demo I’m m Let’s make a bobble! 🫧  In this demo I’m making a 5-stitch bobble. But you can make a bobble of any size! Just knit into the stitch more or less times to make the bobble bigger or smaller.  🤓 Instructions:  Knit into front and back, front and back, and front of the stitch. 5 sts made.  Turn work to wrong side. Purl the 5 sts.  Turn work to right side. Sl2 sts knitwise, K1, pass 2 slipped sts over first stitch. Sl1 knitwise, K1, pass last 2 sts over remaining stitch. 1 stitch remains  To watch a detailed bobble demo, watch the baby bobble blanket tutorial in the link in the description. Happy knitting!  #bobble #bobbleknitting #knittersgonnaknit #knittinginspiration #knittingtutorial #bobblestitch #bobbles #showtimeknit #knittersofinstagram
The Baby Bobble Blanket is as fun to knit as it is The Baby Bobble Blanket is as fun to knit as it is to snuggle into ☺️  Sized for babies, but easily customisable for kids and adults 👶 👧 👵  Grab the free pattern in the profile link or at sheepandstitch.com  #knittingpattern #knittersgonnaknit #babyknits #babyknitting #babyknit #babyblanket #knittingtherapy #knitstagram
⭐️ New Pattern ⭐️ The Baby Bobble Blanket ⭐️ New Pattern ⭐️ The Baby Bobble Blanket is a beginner-friendly pattern for the tiny tot in your life!  Studded with big bobbles, it’s a delight to hold, snuggle and fall asleep with 😴  This pattern is sized for babies, but easily customisable for kids and adults. Grab the #freepattern and video tutorial in the profile link or at sheepandstitch.com  Yarn: 8 balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Baby Pink from @lovecraftscom  #knitting #knittingpattern #knitstagram #babyblanket #babyknits #fallknits #knittersgonnaknit #knitknitknit #knitaddict #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration #handknit #handknits #babyknitting #babyknittingpatterns #bobblestitch #knitblanket
The Market Bag is so cute, practical and eco-frien The Market Bag is so cute, practical and eco-friendly 🍃 It’s a unique knit that’s perfect for all your grocery-toting needs!  I loved knitting this lacy dude. It’s so fun and satisfying, and it comes together very quickly because of the expansive lace 🕸  Grab the #freepattern and video tutorial in the link in the profile!  #knitting #marketbag #knitbag #knit #knittersgonnaknit #knitstagram #knitting #knitting_inspiration #knittinginspiration #knittingpattern #knittingpatterns

Search The Site

Stay in Touch

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

2023 Copyright © Sheep and Stitch Limited

Pin
Share
Tweet